564 Tonnes of Fertiliser Donated by Russia to Kenya Varnishes
In a shocking revelation, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has uncovered the disappearance of 564 tonnes of fertiliser donated by Russia to Kenya in 2023. The fertiliser, intended to boost agricultural production in the country, vanished while in transit, raising serious concerns about corruption and mismanagement within the supply chain.
According to Gathungu’s report, the donation was part of a bilateral agreement between Russia and Kenya aimed at supporting Kenyan farmers and enhancing food security. The fertiliser shipment, valued at millions of shillings, was expected to benefit thousands of small-scale farmers across the nation.
“Our audit has revealed a discrepancy of 564 tonnes between the quantity of fertiliser shipped from Russia and the amount received at the designated storage facilities in Kenya,” Gathungu stated in her report. She added, “This loss represents a significant portion of the total donation and demands immediate investigation.”
The disappearance has prompted calls for a thorough investigation into the matter, with opposition leaders and civil society organizations demanding accountability from government officials involved in handling the shipment. The incident has also raised questions about the effectiveness of existing safeguards against theft and misappropriation of donated goods.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed deep concern over the incident. “We are taking this matter very seriously and have launched an internal inquiry to determine how such a large quantity of fertiliser could go missing. Those responsible will face the full force of the law,” the Cabinet Secretary assured.
The Russian Embassy in Nairobi has also responded to the news, expressing disappointment and requesting a full explanation from Kenyan authorities. In a statement, the embassy emphasized the importance of ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches its intended recipients and called for measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
As investigations continue, this scandal has reignited debates about corruption in Kenya and the need for stricter oversight of international aid. Farmers’ associations across the country have expressed their frustration, noting that the loss of this fertiliser could have significant impacts on crop yields and food prices in the coming seasons. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Kenya’s agricultural sector and the ongoing struggle against corruption in public institutions.
